Lead/Advanced Character Artist

Every great story has a new beginning, and yours starts here.
Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery... the stuff dreams are made of.
Who We Are...
When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we're not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what's next...
From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.
Avalanche is a Warner Bros. Games studio located in downtown Salt Lake City nestled against the backdrop of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. We've been in the video game business since 1995, creating interactive experiences for fans of the world's largest franchises. Join the team behind the blockbuster open world, action RPG Hogwarts Legacy as we create what's next!
Who we are...
Avalanche is seeking a seasoned Lead Artist, 3D Character Modeler to join our passionate team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong artistic vision, a dedication to craftsmanship, and the leadership skills necessary to inspire a team of talented modelers. You will collaborate with art directors, designers, and technical artists to bring life to the characters of our expansive game worlds.
Your Role Accountabilities...

• Lead the character modeling team to deliver high-quality models that align with the artistic vision and technical requirements of the project.
• Collaborate with the Art Director to develop character concepts and ensure models meet the aesthetic and narrative objectives of the game.
• Sculpt detailed high-poly models and create efficient low-poly meshes for use in a real-time engine.
• Work closely with riggers and animators to ensure models deform correctly and are fully functional for animation needs.
• Oversee the creation of textures and shaders to achieve photo-realistic or stylized surface details as required.
• Contribute to the development of character art pipelines and modeling guidelines.
• Mentor and support team members, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.
• Keep abreast of industry trends and tools that will impact the character modeling workflow.
• Coordinate with the production team to manage deliverables, ensuring that milestones and deadlines are met.

Qualifications & Experience...

• At least 5 years of experience in character modeling within the video game industry, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• A strong portfolio showcasing a wide range of characters, with an emphasis on sophisticated modeling techniques.
• Expertise in 3D modeling and texturing software such as Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.
• Familiarity with game engines like Unreal Engine 4/5.
• Understanding of anatomy, proportion, weight, and volume as they pertain to modeling.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and inspire a team.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and time management skills.

How We Get Things Done...
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.
The Legal Bits...
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
If you're a qualified candidate and you require adjustments or accommodations to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please contact us at recruitadmin@wbd.com.